The three-toed sloths are tree-living mammals from South and Central America. They are the only members of the genus Bradypus and the family Bradypodidae. There are four living species of three-toed sloths. These are the Brown-throated Sloth, the Maned Sloth, the Pale-throated Sloth, and the Pygmy Three-toed Sloth.

Although similar to the somewhat larger and generally faster moving two-toed sloths, the two genera are not particularly closely related. Recent phylogenetic analyses support the morphological data from the 1970s and 1980s that the two genera are not closely related and that each adopted their arboreal lifestyles independently. It is unclear what ground-dwelling sloth taxa the three-toed sloths evolved from; the two-toed sloths appear to nest phylogenetically within one of the divisions of Caribbean megalonychids. Aand thus probably either descended from them or are part of a clade that invaded the Caribbean multiple times. Both types of sloth tend to occupy the same forests: in most areas, a particular single species of three-toed sloths and a single species of the larger two-toed type will jointly predominate. Famously slow-moving, the sloth travels at a top speed of 0.24 kilometres per hour (0.15 mph).

Although they are quite slow in trees, three-toed sloths are agile swimmers. The offspring cling to their mother's bellies for around 9 months or so. They cannot walk on all four limbs, and so they must use their front arms and claws to drag themselves across the rain forest floor. They do not have a mating season and breed year round.

The three-toed sloth is arboreal (tree-dwelling), with a body adapted to hang by its limbs. It lives high in the canopy but descends once a week to defecate on the forest floor. Its long, coarse, grayish-brown fur often appears greenish, not due to pigment but to algae growing on it. The sloth’s greenish color and its sluggish habits provide an effective camouflage: hanging quietly, the sloth resembles a bundle of leaves. Large curved claws help the sloth to keep a strong grip on tree branches.

Three toed sloths are extremely slow movers. This video was taken along side a very busy road in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. The sloth is oblivious to the danger from the road and continues to make his way to cross it. The people around are wondering what they should do - whether to try and stop the traffic or what? Just when it seems as though the sloth is doomed something very special happens that will help to restore your faith in the goodness of mankind.

GOD BLESS THE GENTLEMAN WHO HELPED THIS POOR ANIMAL ,THEY HAVE FEELINGS TOO AND IAM SURE IT WAS VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE HELP THIS BRAVE MAN GAVE TO IT ,THANK GOD FOR GUARDIAN ANGELS FOR OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS.

So I'm not the only one who would make a stop at the side of the road or near a highway to move an animal out of danger. Not many people would think of keeping an eye on animals when they are driving, so I have great respect for the fellow who stopped and did his part :)

He was also on a bike :) that made it easier for him. hes like OH i just have to slow down stop. Climb off my bike. Look at this sloth and a bunch of dumb people just watching.

Film the dude pick it up and walk away with it. The guy used one hand for christ sake. If i saw that i would of whipped out my phone too. You know what my seconds reaction would of been *youtubegold* /click film.

He did it so well! Bless him! But those who were filming it... Don't even try to stop traffic or something.. I understand it if some ppl are scared to pick him up.. but just stand and wath and wait for him to get hurt........?! Indeed shame on you!